On July 3, 2009, Prem Rawat was honored by President Colombo and the Regional Administration in Potenza, the historic capital city of the Basilicata region in Southern Italy. Nestled in the lovely hill regions of Basilicata, Potenza’s roots go back to the 4th century B.C. Currently, the Regional Administration hopes to transform their region into an important center for peace. Emilio Colombo, former Prime Minister of Italy, former President of the European Parliament, and lifetime senator, expressed great joy that Prem Rawat had accepted their invitation to come and speak: “I am happy to meet him in our dear region.” 

President Colombo and Basilicata President Vito de Filippo of Potenza, in joint association with the presidents of nearby provinces, extended the honorary invitation to Prem Rawat, the seed of which was planted in 2005 when Prem Rawat spoke to a roomful of dignitaries at the Palazzo Giustiniani at the Senate in Rome. Notable guests to this evening’s prestigious event also included the regional ministers of Health, of Industry and Tourism, and of Infrastructure and Transport, as well as local Potenza business leaders, students from the Conservatorio di Musica, friends and associates of the speakers, and several international attendees from as far away as Australia, Israel, and the United States. 

On May 23, at the invitation of Mayor Tain-Tsair Hsu of Tainan, Taiwan, Prem Rawat, known as Maharaji, attended a ceremony where he was awarded the Golden Key to the city as well as an emblem of the Sword Lion, a symbol of the cultural capital of Taiwan. The ceremony was held at the National Tainan Living Arts Center. Over 800 people attended including guests of the mayor, dignitaries from other towns in Taiwan, as well as international and local students of Prem Rawat.

After a brief introduction from one of the Mayor’s staff and a video, Mayor Hsu said how honored he felt to receive an “Ambassador of Peace” in Tainan. Prem Rawat was awarded the title of Ambassador of Peace at the International University of Peace in Brazil because of his worldwide efforts over four decades to bring a message of peace to millions of people.

“Today the Peace Ambassador has finally arrived in Tainan City,” said Mayor Hsu, “and we have to collaborate with him to contribute to peace and harmony in this world. We have to encourage each other. We have to trust in peace. We cannot wait for peace to descend. We have to have the confidence in ourselves that there is a source of peace within us that is not only for ourselves but for everyone in this world.”

February 3rd, 2009 – Agrigento

Every year Agrigento celebrates the Festival of the Almond Blossom. The Ancient Greek temples which overlook the city provide a splendid backdrop to the lighting of the “torch of friendship” and the accompanying folk dances. This year the festival was celebrated in a unique way. Prem Rawat, Ambassador of Peace, was invited by the local government to light the torch and then speak to the people of Agrigento.

 “So many nations have come and gone. But throughout history there were always voices  begging for peace. Were they heard? I don’t know. Were they listened to? I don’t know. But I do know that we are here to make a voice for that peace.” — Prem Rawat, before lighting the torch

After the torch-lighting ceremony Prem Rawat spoke at the elegant Teatro Pirandello, where he received the honorary citizenship of Agrigento.

February 5th, 2009 – Mazara del Vallo

Mazara del Vallo is a fishing town on the southwestern coast of Sicily. People of different ethnic and religious backgrounds have coexisted peacefully here for many years. It was with great delight and appreciation that the Mayor and all the local officials welcomed Prem Rawat and bestowed on him his third Italian honorary citizenship.